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False alarm triggers book scare at Library of Congress

WASHINGTON—A fire alarm inside the Library of Congress’ Rare Book Division was triggered Monday, according to multiple reports.

The alarm, though false, still prompted police to evacuate the building and call in a hazardous material truck.

Though the alarm sounded, none of the automatic sprinklers were triggered, so the books were unharmed. The malfunctioning alarm is part of a new fire-detection system that the Architect of the Capitol is installing. The agency is investigating potential reasons for why the alarm activated.